| Gravlax d'Antonio |
| Male Human Mobile Fighter 11 Acrobat 2 |
|
Gravlax watches Azhar butcher the snakes. he says, mostly to himself.
"Thank you both for coming. I think this would have been a much more dangerous task for just the two of us."
Gravlax looks over Mathalen and Amaya. "I got bitten once, but don't feel any ill effects. Except it hurt. You two okay?"
| Rev Keaton Amin |
| Male Tiefling |
|
An older, yet relatively attractive middle-aged woman wearing dark clothing and an elaborate silver thorn support under her white-silver hair approaches Rev with a polite smile. Quietly, so as to not draw extra attention or seem rude, she bows slightly. "Greetings, my name is Crosael."
Rev smiles at the woman. "I'm Rev. Nice to meet you."
| Gravlax d'Antonio |
| Male Human Mobile Fighter 11 Acrobat 2 |
|
"An apt metaphor," Antonio agrees, turning from the flowers to the pool. "And I wonder where one acquires so much honey."
If there are other dinner guests near the pool of honey, Antonio will talk with them. If they're currently enamored of his fellow actors, well, it's a multi-course dinner. He knows there will be time to mingle.
| Cassian Merro |
| Male Human Rogue 13 |
|
Cassian quickly says, "Well, let's not be hasty. Why don't you try on a nice array here." He looks so terribly hopeful.
Cassian nods. "I'll be there. Tomorrow, first thing."
True to his word, Cassian wakes Tarvi before dawn. "Come on, Tadpole. You're keeping watch for me."
| Azhar Mithra Amin |
| Male Aasimar Ranger Skirmisher 13 |
|
With a giggle they introduce themselves and then after a pause their escorts. One, perhaps the youngest, "Flora saw you working at the glassworks." A second, "We heard your costume does not do your physique justice."
Amaya is not ignored, they all politely smile at her, before going back into their gaggling.
In fact, I think you will find that if you take it on a pound for pound basis, Drovalid is actually stronger than I am." He glances at Amaya just briefly, almost succumbing to an impromptu demonstration or feat of strength, but the moment passes.
| Rev Keaton Amin |
| Male Tiefling |
|
Arael
He considers that for a long moment, "I was not happy to see Ailyn in something I've worked very hard to grow and protect, no. However, I think you may be projecting your own attitude on people you disagree with on the situation."Fiosa dress
She nods when he is done. "You are definitely better off without it." She finishes her cup, placing it on the table.A pause, "Thank you for deciding to come to Westcrown, Rev." And with that she starts to gather up her things.
"No projection, merely pointing out what you were doing." Rev answers rather seriously.
Rev blinks. He didn't expect to be thanked. So he is honest of his mixed feelings.
"Oh, I don't know Fi. I was a lot stronger with it. Giving up being a Witch and having my former patron overreact was pretty costly. Pharasma's intervention, which saved my life, nearly burnt through all my channels," He's not ungrateful, Pharasma knows he is beyond loyal to her, rather he is merely explaining his loss of power. "So not only am I no longer a witch, weaker in body and less resilient, but I'm a much weaker Cleric than I used to be, too. Granted, the power I'm able to hold from Pharasma is starting to grow again, and I'm learning things I wasn't able to do before with that power..." He gets to the heart of the matter, "Call me selfish, but sometimes there's this nagging part in the back of my mind which questions what I was thinking when I gave up all that power, left my entire life and everything and nearly everyone that mattered to me." He looks very human all of a sudden, full of the same insecurities as everyone else, not that he would admit such a thing. "There was a friend, this woman... Sasha." He's not quite sure how to explain, "And I had hoped that one day she'd be more than a companion or a friend... but now that will probably never happen, because she's off in a jungle somewhere, and I'm here. And even if I wasn't here... she would probably never see me in that light."
| Rev Keaton Amin |
| Male Tiefling |
|
Gravlax's mouth drops open slightly. "No! From you? And I can just imagine how well that went over." Gravlax leans forward on his stool. "Tell me."
Rev shakes his head at hearing his brother near by. A small smile.
"Oh it got everyone's attention. About two dozen lay people - followers of Pharasma, the fat Priest, a Cleric, a couple of acolytes tending the altar - one of which was a rather hot, if somewhat distant looking young woman, the guy who was pissed at me and had decided to take that moment to backtrack and check out all the public buildings and start in Pharasma's temple, and it turns out, Pharasma herself."
A small pause to take a drink. Rev resumes,
"It was not pretty." He grins evilly. "Everyone turned towards me. The husband of the girl I tumbled came barreling down the isle in my direction, and so did the fat priest. Apparently there's a difference between priests and clerics. You don't have to be one to be the other. Anyway, I ran for it, got away from them, and they collided. It was pretty amusing in retrospect. I got all the way to the altar, nodded at the attractive acolyte with the dark hair and serious expression (because apparently my priorities are scrambled), and then all hell broke loose." He says.
| Azhar Mithra Amin |
| Male Aasimar Ranger Skirmisher 13 |
|
To the north of the banquet hall is the Pool of Honey. The room's walls are covered by thick, thorny hedges of primarily roses although a few more exotic flowers break through the foliage in places. In the center of the room is a ten by fifteen foot raised pool of thick, viscous golden honey.
At some point in between courses, Azhar glances around the room, removes a glove and dips just the tip of a finger in the pool. He tastes it, then turns to Amaya and whoever else happens to be nearby and exclaims in amazement, "It really is honey." he glances at Amaya again, ...and can feel the blood in his face as he becomes slightly flushed.
To the south is the Jungle of Nectar. Dominating the center of that room is a sparkling fountain of clear water under a sky dome which shows the Wiscrani night sky. Eqidistantly around the pool are three large tropical trees, with an abundance of all sorts of tropical fruits on each of the branches: pineapple, mango, dragonfruit, papaya, jaboticaba, and a number that are absolutely foreign.
Again, Azhar turns to Amaya and whoever else happens to be nearby, "Hmm, I like this." he says indicating the fountain. He studies the trees with a slightly furrowed brow. "Magic." he comments, perhaps with just a touch of wonder "at least one of these doesn't normally grow on trees." his fingers touch the pineapple just briefly. "and normally, I think only limbs of like fruit can be grafted to a tree." He does seem to be in awe of the trees, though buried underneath might be something else as well.
bluff:
| Melilot Took |
|
|
Again, Azhar turns to Amaya and whoever else happens to be nearby, "Hmm, I like this." he says indicating the fountain. He studies the trees with a slightly furrowed brow. "Magic." he comments, perhaps with just a touch of wonder "at least one of these doesn't normally grow on trees." his fingers touch the pineapple just briefly. "and normally, I think only limbs of like fruit can be grafted to a tree." He does seem to be in awe of the trees, though buried underneath might be something else as well.
Melilot asks curiously.
| Azhar Mithra Amin |
| Male Aasimar Ranger Skirmisher 13 |
|
Azhar blinks, it seems to take him a moment to figure out what Melilot is actually saying, and even then, whether he can hold the pieces together long enough to understand it as a coherent thought is questionable, he does appear to be amused, however. "Luckily, since I only pretend to be an actor, I have absolutely no idea. What would your best guess be?"
| chavamana |
|
|
After a short (or painfully long) time the gong sounds for the next course and the guest file back to the table. The seating rather fluid which allows for interested parties to stay close to the what has interested them.
This course consists of roast peacock, thick broth with salty strips of worg flank, fresh chuul soup served with Chelish black bread, and a roast dire boar of such size that it takes 12 bearers to bring it into the Garden.
| Cassian Merro |
| Male Human Rogue 13 |
|
After a short (or painfully long) time the gong sounds for the next course and the guest file back to the table. The seating rather fluid which allows for interested parties to stay close to the what has interested them.
This course consists of roast peacock, thick broth with salty strips of worg flank, fresh chuul soup served with Chelish black bread, and a roast dire boar of such size that it takes 12 bearers to bring it into the Garden.
After a moment, Cassian stands up and discreetly approaches a servant.
And, after being directed, heads in the direction indicated.
Stealth
| Gravlax d'Antonio |
| Male Human Mobile Fighter 11 Acrobat 2 |
|
Antonio makes a point of sitting next to someone he's not spoken to yet.
He is a bit fastidious, but gamely dips the black bread in the chuul soup.
"That... is a big boar," he says to the table in general.
| Azhar Mithra Amin |
| Male Aasimar Ranger Skirmisher 13 |
|
"Anything you think you might be partial to?" he asks Amaya inquisitively. If she has any preference, they will take seats near that dish, if not, they take seats next to either the roast peacock or dire boar. Not having any particularly involved conversations they are entwined in at the moment, Azhar also elects to sit next to someone new, unless someone else requests their presence. "May I?" he asks politely of whomever might already be sitting nearby before pulling out a chair for Amaya and himself.
"That... is a big boar," he says to the table in general.
"Yes. Yes, it is." Azhar responds, for some reason he flashes a grin sideways at his companion.
| chavamana |
|
|
After a moment, Cassian stands up and discreetly approaches a servant.
And, after being directed, heads in the direction indicated.
Calseinica's eyes follow Cassian's form for a moment as he walks off then, with a friendly smile, she turns to the woman sitting next to her (one of Azhar's admirers) and starts a conversation about the 'Snow Queen'.
Antonio makes a point of sitting next to someone he's not spoken to yet.
He is a bit fastidious, but gamely dips the black bread in the chuul soup.
"That... is a big boar," he says to the table in general.
Gravlax sits next to a woman in a green silken dress her black hair held back by a ornate silver and emerald headdress. Green eyes, green eyeshadow, and greened lips. She motions for one of the servants to refill her glass her hand none to steady. She leans towards Gravlax and whispers (or at least thinks she is whispering), "I do hope nothing untoward happens at this gala." She smiles shakily, "I mean there was such a scandal the last time the mayor invited actors to his home. All those people from the manor in the middle of the night. Can you imagine?"
Not having any particularly involved conversations they are entwined in at the moment, Azhar also elects to sit next to someone new, unless someone else requests their presence. "May I?" he asks politely of whomever might already be sitting nearby before pulling out a chair for Amaya and himself.
The red-headed woman who had been speaking to Melilot early, waves at the chair, then turns back to quietly speak to the Lord Oberigo. Her voice is quiet, well trained to not carry in the loud banquet hall.
General Vourne, stiff and formal, rises. "Lord-Mayor. I did want to give you the courtesy of staying until all of your honored guests had arrived. However, I do need to return to my ship for we are sailing back up to Egorian in the morning." The thin smile is cruel, almost mocking, "Perhaps the next time you want to invite your actors, you should ensure that one of the leads isn't too busy getting drunk in a gutter to attend."
Then, with an absolutely formal bow, the man leaves.
As the military man leaves the house, there is a lightening of the mood. The mayor, rather than being offended, smiles, claps his hands and has the staff bring around more wine for the guest to drink as the table is cleared for the next course.
| chavamana |
|
|
After searching the building and finding no other evidence of snakes in or around the surrounding area. Azhar turns to butchering the snakes, taking care to avoid the poisonous parts.
"No use letting good meat go to waste." he turns flashes Amaya a smile, gives her a wink and mumbles "not when it gives me an excuse to get invited over again, anyway." and after they discover the bottles of liquor, "I don't suppose you know what your dad likes to drink?"
"Beer and sake as far as I know." She says. Grins, "And you've already liquored him up on both." Her look turns dubious as he is cutting the snake, "Snake? Really?"
Mathalen shrugs, "Seems like a good enough protein." Looks over at Gravlax, "How much trouble would we get for making a fire to cook it?"
He looks over at Gravlax and Mathalen, "Thanks for having us on this little expedition. Don't suppose you have other places in mind?" he glances over at Amaya again, this time with the hint of a wry smile, "I don't think she thought very much of my idea to familiarize ourselves with how this place looks at night."
Amaya looks at the other two, "His plan was to wander around aimlessly until we were attacked by something that, hopefully, wouldn't be able to kill us. I feel I had a right to my reservations."
Gravlax watches Azhar butcher the snakes. he says, mostly to himself.
"Thank you both for coming. I think this would have been a much more dangerous task for just the two of us."
Gravlax looks over Mathalen and Amaya. "I got bitten once, but don't feel any ill effects. Except it hurt. You two okay?"
Amaya blushes slightly, "I didn't actually make it into the room until the snakes were dead." Mathalen squeezes the area around the punctures, hard, a trickle of blood comes out. "Looks clean."
| Azhar Mithra Amin |
| Male Aasimar Ranger Skirmisher 13 |
|
Calseinica's eyes follow Cassian's form for a moment as he walks off then, with a friendly smile, she turns to the woman sitting next to her (one of Azhar's admirers) and starts a conversation about the 'Snow Queen'."
Azhar vaguely wonders what or who the 'Snow Queen' is, keeping an ear open to see if he can gain some sort of insight.
After a short pause to at least get a general idea, he turns to Amaya, his fingers lightly brushing her forearm. "Are you enjoying yourself, hon? Can I get you seconds of anything? Maybe another drink?" Azhar himself is eating fairly lightly. After all, there seem to be quite a few courses to go through, and he wants to at least be able to taste most of them.The red-headed woman who had been speaking to Melilot early, waves at the chair, then turns back to quietly speak to the Lord Oberigo. Her voice is quiet, well trained to not carry in the loud banquet hall.
and since she's obviously trying not to be heard, Azhar wonders just what they might be talking about.
"Well, that seemed to lighten things up a bit. If this continues, we'll probably all be dancing soon." although his smile is mischievous, he obviously does not actually mean it literally.
| Azhar Mithra Amin |
| Male Aasimar Ranger Skirmisher 13 |
|
Her look turns dubious as he is cutting the snake, "Snake? Really?"
Azhar's expression turns a little sad, "So you mean a gift of snake meat probably wouldn't get me another invite?" then he smiles, "ah well, it was worth a shot." as he gets back to work, he glances at her again, "actually, it tastes kind of like chicken." he looks at Mathalen to see if she will confirm his assertion, "If you don't think it would make a good gift for your mom, I'll make you some. Just don't expect it to come out anything like hers would though." his smile is rueful, "a camp barbecue and what she does are two entirely different things."
Mathalen shrugs, "Seems like a good enough protein." Looks over at Gravlax, "How much trouble would we get for making a fire to cook it?"
Azhar waits for Gravlax to answer before adding his thoughts.
Amaya looks at the other two, "His plan was to wander around aimlessly until we were attacked by something that, hopefully, wouldn't be able to kill us. I feel I had a right to my reservations."
He chuckles, shaking his head. He obviously has a difference in opinion on what their objective was, but is not willing to contradict her outright.
Gravlax watches Azhar butcher the snakes. he says, mostly to himself.
Short outward breaths of amusement, almost a chuckle but not quite. "Cityfolk." he says to himself, still smiling at the others.
"Thank you both for coming. I think this would have been a much more dangerous task for just the two of us."
"Anytime. Just what I was looking for, actually."
| chavamana |
|
|
Melilot seems a little surprised to find her joke taken seriously. she allows.
She glances at Fiosa to see if the other halfling intends to answer the woman's original question.
Quietly, mostly to Melilot, but with a polite smile for the tall red-head,
One of the red-head's finely sculpted brows lifts, "Well, that is a pity. It is an exquisite dress."
Rev smiles at the woman. "I'm Rev. Nice to meet you."
A polite smile in return, controlled but calm, "It is very rare for a production to headline a tiefling," tone matter of fact, "have you done many productions prior to the Six Trials?"
A pause, "I've always found that Haatherthan's 'deal with the demons' to be a cheap means of painting him as the villain of the piece. What do you think?" A pause, a look of curiosity on her face. "That role was performed by Thesing Umbero Ulvauno, wasn't it? He was invited." This last almost casually, as if she is filing the information to be looked into later.
Azhar snorts, "I'm sure if you look hard enough, you will find someone stronger than I am. In fact, I think you will find that if you take it on a pound for pound basis, Drovalid is actually stronger than I am." He glances at Amaya just briefly, almost succumbing to an impromptu demonstration or feat of strength, but the moment passes. His eyes scan around the room, "Now I'm fairly new here, what is it you ladies enjoy doing as couples around the city?"
One of them actually does smile over her shoulder at her escort and then Azhar is treated to a run-down of the activities of those far too rich and with far too much time on their hands. Shopping and parties is high on the list. Gossiping is thrown in several times.
The other older gentleman that had already been present when everyone arrives approaches Cassian and Calseinica. He to bows, although it is more perfunctory than they respectful one Crosael gave Rev. "Do I have the pleasure of addressing Ms. Calseinica Nymmis?" At her nod and curtsey, the old man smiles, not an entirely pleasant smile but, oddly, not at all lecherous. "I was not expecting you see you here, Ms. Nymmis."
Her voice, polite, musical, "It was a last minute decision on my part, Lord Oberigo." The old man nods, "It does not fit the image my son, and your brothers, painted of you." Something close to censure in his tone.
Calseinica stiffens slightly, barely noticeable to most. "My brothers are always quite generous with thier praise."
The old man's eyes turn on Cassian, curiosity sparking in them, "I am sorry, but I don't recognize you. What family did Ms. Nymmis impinge upon for escort?"
| Cassian Merro |
| Male Human Rogue 13 |
|
The old man's eyes turn on Cassian, curiosity sparking in them, "I am sorry, but I don't recognize you. What family did Ms. Nymmis impinge upon for escort?"
"No family," Cassian says easily. "In an effort to win support for the theater amongst the rank and file, as it were, there was a contest. 'Win a Date with the Diva of Westcrown!' Well, understandably, I was terrified, since the last time that happened... well..." a significant nod in Delour's direction, He brightens, his voice at normal volume again. "My brother has always had his eye on the family business, so he enters me, hoping I'll meet the same fate. But as luck would have it, there was an accident, and now I get to see Miss Nymmis. All perfectly chaste, I assure you. Quite the lady, this one. Never give one such as me the time of day, but I tell you, this is the nicest place my monkey and I have ever been."
| chavamana |
|
|
Azhar is able to pay for the purchases while Amaya changes back. The shop girl just wants to know if he would like the clothes delivered (if so to what address) or if he would like to take them with him.
Amaya nods, comfortable in her own clothing, "Lead on." The shoe store is only a few blocks away and even from the wavy glass windows Azhar can see every type of shoe imaginable (and probably a few that he would have never dreamt of).
She nods, "Clothing or something else?" She asks as she lines up her own shot and...
With a shrug, "How about this, bring me any of the unbiased people who were in the room - Gravlax, Cassian, Melilot - and if they agree with you, I will re-evaluate my actions."
The half-elf bows to Fiosa, "But until then, I wish you both a good evening."
Fiosa listens seriously, face set in kind lines. Then finally, "Other than rubbing people the wrong way occasionally which is probably a matter of approaching a situation from diametrically opposed viewpoints, you are a nice and likable person." A pause, cautious, "And if you are changing, growing, becoming a better version of yourself, maybe it is she that needs to change as well."
She ducks her head slightly, which does nothing to hide the bright smile that lights up her eyes. The grin turning mischievous as she meets his eyes, "I believe you requested a thog... I don't actually have any of those that aren't for the stage, so I should pick out some of those." She motions to the very full store, "And maybe, if there is something you want me to try on?"
"Thank you again."
On the way back to Janiven, Tarvi asks, "So... just how did you met Atenaar the first time around?" A grin.
She wakes up with a sleepy glare, ready to burrow back under her blankets before he speaks. His words rewarded with a brilliant smile she pulls herself out of bed, stumbling as she pulls on her clothes.
The journey through the pre-dawn city is quiet, gray. A light mist that will no doubt turn to true rain blocking vision. The pair makes it to Thesing's family home just as the sun in breaking over the horizon. Then, as the city starts to come alive around them, a wait until a man, dressed in Atenaar's colors arrives, hands over a number of invitations to the butler, who accepts them gravelly.
| Cassian Merro |
| Male Human Rogue 13 |
|
Cassian breaks into a broad smile, realizing that she just asked him to dress her. First, he picks out an array of thongs of various colors and fabrics. He eyes her again, taking a couple merry widows from the shelves, several corsets, and a nice selection of stockings and garter belts. He follows these up with high heeled shoes. He considers, then gets a few pairs of silk elbow gloves and a couple garters.
"And now I believe I am owed a fashion show."
"I broke into his house," Cassian says with a smirk.
Cassian waits until the butler has clearly seen and registered what the invitation is. "Keep watch, Tadpole."
As the door closes, Cassian goes to his quickest way in, presumably a window of some kind, and opens it, going to retrieve the invitation from the stack of mail.
Disable Device , Rygel assist
Stealth
| Melilot Took |
|
|
Azhar blinks, it seems to take him a moment to figure out what Melilot is actually saying, and even then, whether he can hold the pieces together long enough to understand it as a coherent thought is questionable, he does appear to be amused, however. "Luckily, since I only pretend to be an actor, I have absolutely no idea. What would your best guess be?"
She ponders the question for a moment.
| Azhar Mithra Amin |
| Male Aasimar Ranger Skirmisher 13 |
|
Azhar is able to pay for the purchases while Amaya changes back. The shop girl just wants to know if he would like the clothes delivered (if so to what address) or if he would like to take them with him.
He elects to wait and take them along.
Amaya nods, comfortable in her own clothing, "Lead on." The shoe store is only a few blocks away and even from the wavy glass windows Azhar can see every type of shoe imaginable (and probably a few that he would have never dreamt of).
Azhar has another thought that causes him to look anywhere but at Amaya for another few seconds. He does open the door for her and immediately looks for help from someone working there.
She ponders the question for a moment.
"Then I would guess," Azhar muses, "that if that is your objective, it would likely be better to agree then disagree." He shrugs, "personally, I would like to taste the fruit of this tree...but I think the amount of food being put before us will fill me to bursting already." His expression holds just a hint of sadness. He looks at the tree more closely,
| Gravlax d'Antonio |
| Male Human Mobile Fighter 11 Acrobat 2 |
|
Mathalen shrugs, "Seems like a good enough protein." Looks over at Gravlax, "How much trouble would we get for making a fire to cook it?"
"What, here? I suspect we're okay so long as we don't catch the building on fire." Gravlax shrugs. "Oh. Or at my building, there's a communal kitchen. I think."
"His plan was to wander around aimlessly until we were attacked by something that, hopefully, wouldn't be able to kill us. I feel I had a right to my reservations."
"There is value in that." Gravlax grins, and the tension from the combat starts to leak out of his posture. "Not much value, but some."
"Cityfolk."
Gravlax snorts. "And proud of it. Put this meat on a stick, and it's a true delicacy of Westcrown."
"I'll keep you in mind if we run into any more evening trouble, but I don't think either of us goes looking," Gravlax says.
| Gravlax d'Antonio |
| Male Human Mobile Fighter 11 Acrobat 2 |
|
"I do hope nothing untoward happens at this gala." She smiles shakily, "I mean there was such a scandal the last time the mayor invited actors to his home. All those people from the manor in the middle of the night. Can you imagine?"
"I can hardly imagine," Antonio says. "It must have been scandalous indeed to eject people into a ..." he lowers his voice for dramatic intent, which is undoubtedly lost on the woman,
Antonio takes a drink, and leans back to the woman. "Please, you must tell me more."
| Gravlax d'Antonio |
| Male Human Mobile Fighter 11 Acrobat 2 |
|
"Clothing please," Gravlax says. "To look at you while the light remains."
"And you? Clothing first as well?"
Clearly Gravlax has something other than his own manual dexterity on his mind, as once again the shooter bounces clumsily across the circle, and only narrowly edges one of Mathalen's marbles across the line.
| chavamana |
|
|
Azhar vaguely wonders what or who the 'Snow Queen' is, keeping an ear open to see if he can gain some sort of insight.
After a short pause to at least get a general idea, he turns to Amaya, his fingers lightly brushing her forearm. "Are you enjoying yourself, hon? Can I get you seconds of anything? Maybe another drink?" Azhar himself is eating fairly lightly. After all, there seem to be quite a few courses to go through, and he wants to at least be able to taste most of them.
The 'Snow Queen' sounds to be another Wiscrani theater productions. That one about a queen whose touch froze anyone she touched solid.
She turns to look at Azhar, a soft smile on her mouth easily taking in the conversations with pleasure. She shakes her head at the second question also taking care to eat lightly.
"I can hardly imagine," Antonio says. "It must have been scandalous indeed to eject people into a ..." he lowers his voice for dramatic intent, which is undoubtedly lost on the woman,
Antonio takes a drink, and leans back to the woman. "Please, you must tell me more."
She looks surreptitiously up and down the table then "whispers" to Gravlax. "It all started when one of the actors claimed the Lord-Mayor kept a harem in the attic." Her green eyes sparking at the delicious rumor, at her importance to get to spread juicy, but old, stories to someone new. "A dozen women, slaves culled from all around the Inner Sea and ."
She pauses to let that sink in, downing half of her glass of wine, "The party guests decide they want to peek at the flowers hidden away so a bunch of them creep out between the third and fourth course." A pause this time for dramatic effect, "They made it up to the third floor before they were missed. Supposedly one of the servants told the mayor and he ran out of the banquet hall, white as a ghost, and straight to the attic."
The green of her lips tweek up, "There was such a ruckus, the mayor forcing all those people down stairs and then right out the front door." Another pause, this time to finish her wine, which is almost immediately replaced by one of the servants dressed in the black and white costumes which make them look like animated skeletons in the dim.
Another smile, coaxing for more attention from the actor, "Of course... it wasn't a harem they found..."
| chavamana |
|
|
Azhar's expression turns a little sad, "So you mean a gift of snake meat probably wouldn't get me another invite?" then he smiles, "ah well, it was worth a shot." as he gets back to work, he glances at her again, "actually, it tastes kind of like chicken." he looks at Mathalen to see if she will confirm his assertion, "If you don't think it would make a good gift for your mom, I'll make you some. Just don't expect it to come out anything like hers would though." his smile is rueful, "a camp barbecue and what she does are two entirely different things."
"Probably not. But if you brought her and father a hot lunch, she would return the favor." She tucks a wayward hair behind her ear, "She dislikes the idea of being in debt in anyway."
"What, here? I suspect we're okay so long as we don't catch the building on fire." Gravlax shrugs. "Oh. Or at my building, there's a communal kitchen. I think."
Mathalen considers that for a moment, "That is probably one of the places I shouldn't be going considering your landlady." Smiles, "I can always find someplace out to cook it and bring it over after."
"I'll keep you in mind if we run into any more evening trouble, but I don't think either of us goes looking," Gravlax says.
Quietly,
| Azhar Mithra Amin |
| Male Aasimar Ranger Skirmisher 13 |
|
"What, here? I suspect we're okay so long as we don't catch the building on fire." Gravlax shrugs. "Oh. Or at my building, there's a communal kitchen. I think."
"Your choice then, if you don't think we'll be disturbing people in your building. As long as it's dark, I don't think we'll have an issue here, again, as long as we don't burn the building down." Azhar begins making preparations, making sure there is a decent air flow, making sure that anything highly flammable is out of whatever or open space they are planning on using, and making sure they have at least some fire suppressing items on hand (cloak, dirt in a bucket, or some such) in case something small should start. This is of course assuming that Gravlax does not opt for the communal kitchen.
"There is value in that." Gravlax grins, and the tension from the combat starts to leak out of his posture. "Not much value, but some."
Azhar sighs, "I believe the purpose was to investigate the area at and around the church where the Bastards of Erebus were located and then expand outwards, gaining a possible additional safe or training area and learning what the city looks like when in darkness instead of daylight. If something happened to pop up, well then we could get a little bit of a handle on what is haunting this city at night. That at least was my viewpoint. The fact that I may or may not have just been using it as an excuse to spend some extra time with someone I happen to like very much, well, I'll leave that to your own interpretation." Azhar's look at Amaya seems to be one of the long suffering, but is obviously done in a teasing and affectionate manner.
"I'll keep you in mind if we run into any more evening trouble, but I don't think either of us goes looking," Gravlax says.
Azhar nods. "Understood, and thank you."
| Azhar Mithra Amin |
| Male Aasimar Ranger Skirmisher 13 |
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"Probably not. But if you brought her and father a hot lunch, she would return the favor." She tucks a wayward hair behind her ear, "She dislikes the idea of being in debt in anyway."
"Well, I guess I can make something passable, but..." he thinks, "maybe I'll pick up something along the way to fill it out."
Mathalen considers that for a moment, "That is probably one of the places I shouldn't be going considering your landlady." Smiles, "I can always find someplace out to cook it and bring it over after."
Azhar pauses to see if they will not be doing the cooking tonight.
Quietly,
He looks up, a little concerned, "Claws? So you've already come across something then?"
| chavamana |
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They are carefully packaged once Amaya leaves the dressing room, each item wrapped in tissue and each dress and undergarment in a properly sized box, then into a bag for carrying. The girl hands over the two large bags to Azhar.
Azhar has another thought that causes him to look anywhere but at Amaya for another few seconds. He does open the door for her and immediately looks for help from someone working there.
Amaya looks back at him, oblivious to his thoughts, while he stares. Store aid is found and appropriate shoes for both dresses are found.
"Clothing please," Gravlax says. "To look at you while the light remains."
She shrugs out of the her jacket, folding it, then handing it to him.
"And you? Clothing first as well?"
Smile, nod. "Outer first is good though."
Clearly Gravlax has something other than his own manual dexterity on his mind, as once again the shooter bounces clumsily across the circle, and only narrowly edges one of Mathalen's marbles across the line.
There is only a small pause before Mathalen pulls her shirt off, she folds it and gives it to him. The shirt is the one that was ripped by the gargoyle.
Then topless, she aims, trying to take out more of Gravlax's marbles. And...
doesn't knock out a single marble. She shrugs with a sigh. Her muscle movement clear under the pale skin that contrasts with her tanned shoulders, arms, and face.
She watches him as he picks out things, her brown eyes serious considering which should be paired with what. As he finishes, she nods solemnly. Then a smiles, "I did promise that you could dress me up whenever you wanted."
She takes all of the clothes into the dressing room. There is a pause longer than is needed to change into the undergarments. She starts with corsets, always matched with thong, stockings and shoes, once with a pair of the silk elbow gloves. Then she starts to show a little more skin with the merry widow and any half corsets that he selected, again with the same care to making each one a unique outfit.
Each time she comes out from behind the curtain, she has just a smidge less on, just a bit more of her pale skin showing. The last outfit, heels, stockings held up by the garter. A thong. And held in front of her chest: her arms covered in silk gloves. The entire outfit in the perfect shade of blue for her. She walks up to him, "Good show?"
She glances back the way they came, "You seem to have left him with a positive impression." Smiles back at him, "Which takes far more talent that breaking in and terrifying someone." Pride in her eyes, she reaches over and hugs him briefly.
When they get back to Janiven, she is leaning against a wall obfuscated by shadow. With a smile, she finishes handing the monkey a small piece of dried fruit then holds still, obviously expecting Rygel to immediately scamper over to his big buddy.
Which the monkey does. Janiven raises a hand, "The old man is still in there."
She moves to a point where she has the best view of the townhouse while remaining in the shadows herself. She quickly casts the same easy spell they used when Cassian planted the evidence in the actor's home. She nods, knowing he is only a small whisper away.
The window is quick work for the man and his monkey. However the floor is solid stone flagstone, which has a tendency to echo. However the slight sounds do not draw any undue attention. Cassian finds the invitations separated into two distinct groups, a list with the names next to each. The first clearly for the family members living in the main townhouse, the second for those who live outside, like Thesing.
The servant, dressed as a skeleton, leads him over the garden and back to the entrance hall. Then to the right into what is clearly a visitor's lounge. The walls feature elaborate murals paintings of various hellscapes. The servant motions politely to the most eastward door, then excuses himself with a bow.
Cassian, as soon as he finds himself alone, heads up the stairs rather than make use of the privy. The stairs lead directly to a wood-paneled room with floor to ceiling glass windows that overlook the front gardens. The sky, dark with rain, looks almost pitch dark but the sun won't be going down for a little while longer. A quick search proves to be a game room, card tables, chairs and even a few sets of Pits and Perils on the shelves.
The south door leads into a small ballroom, but with open stairs leading down to the entrance hallway and a clear opening into voyeurs galley that looks down into the banquet hall and its gardens, Cassian decides to hold off on that direction for now.
The northern door opens to a short hallway. Two doors, the eastern one opening to a library. A quick search reveals no hidden doors, swinging bookcases, or secret wall safes. It does, however, also have a door that opens onto the voyeur's galley.
The western door leads to a group of guest rooms. Cassian is able to unlock the doors, although the locks are well made and the devil carved door leer at him whenever a pick slips a little to early. Cassian quickly finds these are the rooms set aside for the five cast members of the Six Trials that actually attended the Cornucopia. The two larger rooms for Calseinica and Rev. The five rooms also have a privy - sink and toilet made of polished metal, the toilet designed to look like a gaping devil's mouth.
Back in the gaming room, two doors on the eastern wall. The northern door a short fifteen foot hallway that opens into a storage room used solely for hunting trophies, packed full of stuffed animals from the mundane, hawks, to the interesting, leopard, to the truly exotic, owlbear.
The final door of the game room is locked.
| Cassian Merro |
| Male Human Rogue 13 |
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Cassian swallows, nodding. The look he gives her could melt steel. Almost predatory, the feeling that he could just lunge across the space between them and take her right there, heedless of who watched.
"Very good," he says, his throat dry. "You should make your purchases... we're going to have a full night."
Cassian squints at the house. Been a long time. "I'll go have a look," he says.
Cassian attempts to get close enough to see if the old man is all right.
Cassian rifles through the away pile, looking for Thesing's. That one will get shoved into his shirt to be burned later.
Cassian attempts to open the locked door.
; Rygel assist
| Azhar Mithra Amin |
| Male Aasimar Ranger Skirmisher 13 |
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totally girl side...though he brings a pair of her practical shoes in the things that went up to their room.
| chavamana |
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Her arms twitch downward, the thought of provoking that thin line almost making its way forward before she catches herself with a deep blush that travels down her torso. Skin reddened she goes back behind the curtain.
When she exits again, she is in the cotton dress, the underthings she will be taking home in a smooth basket, making it hard to determine exactly what she is buying. As they walk back in the mid-afternoon gloom, she looks over at him, "When should I expect you?" Leaning closer, whispering, Blushing again, "Dinner?" Grasping at something less... heart-racing.
Cassian knows the locks of Thesing's apartment by now and he slips into the hallway like an old friend. Thesing's bombastic voice, going on and on, about the injustice, the crime, everything. The actor appears to be drinking heavily, but the old man, appears to be slowing feeding everything Thesing pours for him into the pot of a plant that will be feeling it the next day.
Thesing's invitation is quickly found and egress from the window is far smoother than his entrance. Outside, Tarvi, "That was quick. Breakfast? My treat."
Another storage room, this one completely empty. The cause of the locked door quickly revealed: a stair headed up to the third floor attic.
The stairs lead directly to a large room that spans the length of the manor house. The room is cluttered with crates and old furniture most of the it covered with dust. In the southern end of the room, there is another set of stairs, that one only protected by a simple rope and a "Do not Enter" sign. Cassian notes that as a means to search the southern end of the second floor without needed to sneak through the open ballroom.
A quick search of the doors leading out of the room (five in total) quickly reveals something of interest. The northernmost one has a heavy, good padlock. As Cassian is about to pick that lock, he hears the gong that sounds the third course, indicating he has been gone from the banquet hall for quite a while.
| chavamana |
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He shrugs, "personally, I would like to taste the fruit of this tree...but I think the amount of food being put before us will fill me to bursting already." His expression holds just a hint of sadness. He looks at the tree more closely,
As best as can be determined from a purely visual examination of the plants, the fruit does seem to be growing from the trees.
| Cassian Merro |
| Male Human Rogue 13 |
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Cassian thinks. "How about this. How about I run home, and meet you at your place in half an hour. We have dinner in your chambers... either you send the servants out for something tasty or you have them bring cook something. I'll need a bottle of wine for me, of course. And make sure they include something for dessert." He thinks on it some more. "As for your costume, well... I don't know what you bought. As long as it has stockings and those strappy heels, I'll be happy. Does all of that sound nice?"
Assuming it does, Cassian does in fact rush home to pick up a few things, shoving them in the haversack, before rushing back, trying to get inside before nightfall for once.
Cassian grins and returns to the ladies. "Everything is fine. The old man has this well in hand. Let's head home."
Gozran 17/Thesing
"Hell yes," Cassian says, his stomach rumbling in agreement.
At the sound of the gong, Cassian rushes back to the meal, slowing down only when he nears the banquet hall, doing his best to catch his breath before heading back in.
Stealth
| chavamana |
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The second break passes far more quickly than the first. This is partially due to the wine that continues to flow, partially due to the exit of the dour and stiff General. The gong sounds, almost seeming to surprise the mayor, who jumps slightly before motioning them all back to the table. He pauses for a moment at the head, looking around, trying to place what is missing, counts his honored guest actors, and sits, happy.
This course consists of honey-roasted hogfish, venison, sturgeon, and lampreys in hot sauce. In addition, a vast caravan of fruits and breads, olives, jars of curious pickles, huge stuffed peppers, figs, dates and honeycombs is offered as well.
| Cassian Merro |
| Male Human Rogue 13 |
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Cassian is back at the table, having returned at some point, his plate piled high with stuffed peppers, pickles, dates, honeycombs, with a tiny bit of venison stuck resentfully in the corner. Did he return this course? The previous one? Well, whatever. He's throwing olives into Rygel's mouth, who is throwing different olives into Cassian's.
| chavamana |
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Calseinica takes his hand, smiles, then squeezes his hand. "I think that sounds like a wonderful plan..." She blushes, "I'll see you very soon."
When Cassian lets himself into the apartment, he is greeted by a upbeat, happy "Welcome home." Tarvi pops her head out of her room as Cassian moves quickly into his own. With a smile, "I'm guessing you have plans this evening."
And when he leaves, she turns to Rygel, "So... where do you want to get dinner?"
Janiven smiles darkly, "That idiot actor isn't going to have a clue what hits him." Tarvi gives the other woman long look, not quite used to seeing the harder side of the ranger. Janiven shrugs, quietly, "Sorry, kiddo. But that one deserves to be blindsided." She then looks at Cassian, "Need me for anything else this evening?" Her voice level, giving nothing away to Tarvi, although the question is clear to Cassian.
And Tarvi follows through, leading the way to Cassian's favorite breakfast place.
| Gravlax d'Antonio |
| Male Human Mobile Fighter 11 Acrobat 2 |
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"I think this is a lovely place for a cookout," Gravlax says. "No landlady," he glances briefly at the bodies in the corner, "or this might not have gone on for so long."
He looks up, a little concerned, "Claws? So you've already come across something then?"
Gravlax looks over at Mathalen, and then answers. "She was jumped by a gargoyle a few weeks ago. A baby one, given her description."
| Gravlax d'Antonio |
| Male Human Mobile Fighter 11 Acrobat 2 |
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Gravlax grins back. "Youthful priorities," he says. "That would have been a sight to see -- although perhaps not from your perspective."
Gravlax settles back on his stool. "So," he prompts. "All hell."
| Gravlax d'Antonio |
| Male Human Mobile Fighter 11 Acrobat 2 |
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Another smile, coaxing for more attention from the actor, "Of course... it wasn't a harem they found..."
Antonio leans toward her, offering his ear and his attention. "Oh, do tell. Whisper if you must, but don't leave me in suspense."
Antonio looks to sit himself and Mathalen next to someone different. "Such an amazing feast," he says to Mathalen in particular and everyone in general, "I shall be fencing for a week to work it off."
| Gravlax d'Antonio |
| Male Human Mobile Fighter 11 Acrobat 2 |
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Gravlax removes his outerwear, folds it, and sets it aside. Unlike Mathalen, he does not have such striking contrast between the tanned areas and the untanned areas.
He waits a few beats too long before taking his turn to shoot.
"I'm sorry," he says. "You are very distracting."
Again, his shooter rolls lazily across the circle, just narrowly nudging out one marble.
He shakes his head, but grins. "I was very good at this game as a child. But I've never played for stakes like these before. I think you are throwing me off my game...."
| Cassian Merro |
| Male Human Rogue 13 |
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"Sorry Tadpole. I have a date." He ruffles her hair and rushes back out.
"She's right, Tarv," he says. "Feels weird bringing him down like this. Cutting his throat would have been easier, but somehow this is more satisfying." He smiles at Janiven, making sure Tarvi can't see the look. "I think everything's taken care of."
Cassian will have a lovely breakfast with his sister.
| chavamana |
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Antonio looks to sit himself and Mathalen next to someone different. "Such an amazing feast," he says to Mathalen in particular and everyone in general, "I shall be fencing for a week to work it off."
Buy this point those who haven't been pacing themselves, mostly the three woman who had been so interested in Azhar during the first course, are noticeably drunk. The women, and to some extent the men, flutter around the group hitting shamelessly on the actor's and their partners.
While the mayor is swiftly going down the road of inebriation, others like Crosael and Lord Oberigo, are quite sober.
As soon as people start to leave the table so it can be cleared, Calseinica comes over to Cassian.
| chavamana |
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The old man's eyes turn on Cassian, curiosity sparking in them, "I am sorry, but I don't recognize you. What family did Ms. Nymmis impinge upon for escort?""No family," Cassian says easily. "In an effort to win support for the theater amongst the rank and file, as it were, there was a contest. 'Win a Date with the Diva of Westcrown!' Well, understandably, I was terrified, since the last time that happened... well..." a significant nod in Delour's direction, He brightens, his voice at normal volume again. "My brother has always had his eye on the family business, so he enters me, hoping I'll meet the same fate. But as luck would have it, there was an accident, and now I get to see Miss Nymmis. All perfectly chaste, I assure you. Quite the lady, this one. Never give one such as me the time of day, but I tell you, this is the nicest place my monkey and I have ever been."
The older man looks at Cassian then at Calseinica, "That is really quite daring of you Ms. Nymmis. But," with a nod of his head in Nonon's direction, "No doubt quite a good means for the theater to encourage... interest."
A pause, a friendly smile, "So what business is your family in..." Looking at Cassian, absolutely certain the young man hadn't introduced himself.